Is $400 Whisky the New Normal in NZ? & We Taste Divergence Sloe Finish & Reefton Gold Seeker Rye

This week on Distil-Nation, we look at what’s happening in New Zealand whisky right now — and why the top end has suddenly jumped from $200 to $400. Is this the new normal, or are we pushing past what consumers are willing to pay?

We break down the shift toward ultra-premium releases, what’s driving it, and whether the value stacks up.

Along the way, we taste:

Reefton Distilling Co. Gold Seeker RyeDivergence Whisky Sloe Gin Finished Single MaltPlus, a look ahead to an upcoming usquebaugh release, and a few genuinely great NZ whiskies that still deliver serious value without the $400 price tag.